Driftless Idea Camp

Driftless IDEA Camp at-a-glance

Dates: June 8–11, 2026
Ages: Youth entering grades 6–8
Location: UWL Student Union
Format: Four days of hands-on activities focused on innovation, discovery, experiential learning, and adventures — everything that makes our region incredible — facilitated by UW-La Crosse faculty and staff.

What is Driftless IDEA Camp at UW-La Crosse?

Driftless IDEA Camp is a four-day summer day camp for middle school students entering grades 6–8 in the fall. Rooted in the Wisconsin Idea — the belief that education should enrich people’s lives beyond the classroom — this immersive camp brings learning to life through hands-on experiences in the arts and sciences.

Led by University of Wisconsin-La Crosse faculty and staff, campers learn by doing: experimenting, creating, collaborating, and problem-solving in engaging, real-world contexts. Activities are designed to connect ideas to everyday life, helping youth see how learning can shape their communities, spark curiosity, and inspire action.

Grounded in the spirit of the Driftless Region, campers are encouraged to embrace:

Driftless IDEA Camp empowers middle school learners to think beyond the classroom — seeing themselves as creators, explorers, and engaged community members — while building skills, confidence, and a lifelong love of learning.

What to Bring

Water bottle
Comfortable, close-toed shoes

Learning Through Connection

UWL Graduate & Extended Learning's goal for participants is to experience the full benefits of being present and engaged at this hands-on camp. Our vision is to create real-world connections and build a sense of community that extends outside the program. We recognize the positive impact of social connection in adolescence through its capacity to promote wellbeing and protect against a range of risks. We design youth programs as screen-free environments that prioritize actively engaged, shared experiences as a central part of our mission.

Be Here

Expectations

Graduate & Extended Learning youth programs strive to create an environment that encourages empathy along with accountability. All staff, volunteers, and participants will commit to the following expectations:

Respect the differences of participants, staff, and volunteers and will not discriminate against anyone else on the grounds of gender, race, sexual orientation, ability, or other identity
Report any incidents of bullying, abusive language, and dangerous or unlawful behavior to adults or supervisors immediately
Support and encourage all other program participants
Follow the directions of program staff, directors, and volunteers
Follow online safety and internet use policies and honor screen-free activities
Lead with respect and act with integrity

Driftless IDEA Camp 2026 Registration Fees
Registration Type	Register by May 8, 2026	Register May 9, 2026 or after
Camp Participant	$320	$345

Registration Includes
Day camp activities, lunch, and snack each day.

Cancellation Policy
Substitutions welcome. Full refund less $25 processing fee two weeks prior to event, no refunds thereafter. Cancellations must be submitted in writing to ex@uwlax.edu.

Privacy Policy
Registration implies permission for photos, publicity and inclusion in a participant list, unless UWL Graduate & Extended Learning is notified in writing prior to the program at ex@uwlax.edu.

Insurance
Participants are encouraged to have their own health insurance as limited accident insurance is provided by UW-La Crosse.

Questions
For questions or additional information contact 608.785.6500 or ex@uwlax.edu.

Apply for a scholarship

Youth Health Form:
Required for participation

To ensure the health and safety of all children, each child must submit a health form prior to the event.

Health forms are available online
Submit your student's form at least 2 weeks prior to the event start date
Students who do not submit a form will not be allowed to participate

Behind the Mask: Hand Building Ceramic Masks

Students will create and decorate a custom ceramic mask in the workshop.

Cyanotype Plant Portraits

In this hands-on art workshop, participants will explore the UW-La Crosse campus to collect leaves, grasses, and other natural plant materials. Inspired by nineteenth-century botanist and photographer Anna Atkins, students will learn about the historic cyanotype photographic process and create vivid blue plant portraits by exposing their collected specimens onto light-sensitive paper.

Each student will also identify their chosen plants by researching their scientific name and characteristics, and then hand-letter a small identification label that becomes part of the final blueprint. Together, these elements will form a personalized botanical specimen sheet that connects artmaking with scientific observation.

Elephant Toothpaste

In this interactive chemistry demonstration, students will create a colorful, foamy “Elephant Toothpaste” reaction while learning how catalysts accelerate the breakdown of hydrogen peroxide into water and oxygen gas. This visually exciting experiment introduces key scientific ideas, such as reaction rates, gas formation, and energy change, in a fun and memorable way. Participants will connect everyday materials to real chemical principles and discover how science can be both safe and spectacular!

Heart Health Power Hour

Students will engage in an interactive cardiovascular health lesson. This activity-based session will focus on the heart rate zones through fun and engaging physical education activities. Using heart rate monitors (if available) we will track the ways in which exercise impacts the body. Students will create their own heart rate graphs and learn about target heart rate zones for different types of physical activity. This hands-on session will get students active and connect technology with personal health monitoring.

Occupational Therapy: Hold onto What's Important!

Do you like helping people? Come and explore the health profession of Occupational Therapy! In this workshop, you will learn to test and treat hand weakness, then explore your environment using tools that help people with disabilities do the things that are important to them.

So You Wanna Be an Athletic Trainer?

The workshop will introduce the career in athletic training and involve participants to perform key duties of an athletic trainer, including (but not limited to) athletic taping/bandaging, concussion testing, and spine boarding.

The Biochemistry of Milk

Wisconsin is the Dairy State due to the large number of dairy farms and dairy related products produced. Driving through the Driftless Region you can see countless dairy farms across this beautiful landscape. But what makes milk so important to our lives? In this workshop, we will explore through hands-on chemistry the components of milk and how it effects our daily lives. Hopefully this will be a “moo”-ving experience for all!

The Science of Blood: Measuring Health from the Inside

Learn how a variety of health conditions can be identified with blood analysis using clues to piece together which blood smear is reflective of which health condition. Students will gain an appreciation for how powerful a diagnostic tool a blood draw can be and how much work goes into keeping tabs on the health of a population. This will also help demystify what happens to the blood samples you give when you go to the clinic.

Unleash Your Inner Explorer!

Youth participants participate in this teams of 3-4 people will use maps and directions to learn navigation skills — without the use of GPS! In a hour-long session, teams complete a series of events using a series of materials like chessboards, dice-set, globes, local scale maps, and a mini-treasure hunt on campus.

Polly Berra, Ed.D.

Basudeb Bhattacharyya, Ph.D.

Naoko Giblin, Ph.D.

Shrobona Karkun-Sen, Ph.D.

Jarred Pfeiffer, M.F.A.

Md Kausar Raza, Ph.D.

Zachary Stensen, M.A., M.F.A.

Gabrielle Strittmater, Ph.D.

Zachariah Tritz, Ph.D.

Summer youth program scholarships

Youth scholarships help make Graduate & Extended Learning summer programs accessible to more students by reducing financial barriers and opening the door to meaningful learning experiences.

Who are scholarships for?

Scholarships are available for students who may need financial assistance to make participation in summer youth programs possible.

How do I apply for a summer youth scholarship?

Complete the online application and include one of the following:

Option 1: A letter from the student (maximum of 300 words) explaining why they want to attend the program and what they hope to gain from the experience.
Option 2: A brief letter from a teacher, coach, supervisor, or mentor supporting the student's participation in the the program.

What happens after I submit the application?

Check your email - scholarship decisions will be sent via email 5 business days after submission
Scholarship recipients will be sent instructions on how to use the scholarship and register for their program

Reminders

Apply early, funds are limited
Scholarships are awarded on a first-come, first-served basis

Questions?

Reach out to us at ex@uwlax.edu with any questions. We will do our best to work with you to address barriers to youth program participation.

Youth Health Form:
Required for participation

To ensure the health and safety of all children, each child must submit a health form prior to the event.

Health forms are available online
Submit your student's form at least 2 weeks prior to the event start date
Students who do not submit a form will not be allowed to participate

Support Graduate & Extended Learning Youth Programs

Contact KJ Krzyzanowski to learn more about supporting youth programs.

Fostering youth development

Young people thrive when they’re given opportunities to discover their potential through experiences that challenge, inspire, and help them grow. UWL youth programs create supportive, skill-building environments where participants develop confidence, learn meaningful skills, and engage with peers and caring adults as valued members of their community.

How this benefits the Driftless Region

UWL youth programs strengthen the Driftless Region by helping young people build skills, form positive relationships, and develop a strong sense of purpose. Through intentional activities, youth connect with supportive adults, student mentors, and community leaders who encourage their growth. This sense of connectedness is essential to effective youth development—and central to UWL’s commitment to reflect and uplift the voices of the community it serves.

Ways to support UWL Graduate & Extended Learning Youth Programs

Program Supplies: Donate new or gently used materials that can enhance youth learning and creativity. Contact program staff if you have items to offer.
Community Involvement: Share your expertise, serve as a guest speaker, or volunteer (pending approval). Community members play an important role in creating impactful experiences for youth.
Financial Support: Contribute to youth scholarships, program supplies, or other resources that reduce barriers to participation.
Supportive Adult: Encourage young people to be themselves and pursue their potential. Your mentorship can have a lasting impact.

Information is forthcoming!

UWL Student Union

Student Union, UW-La Crosse, 521 East Avenue N, La Crosse, WI 54601

Driftless IDEA Camp 2026 Drop-off/Pick-up Schedule
Description	Time	Parking Location
Drop-off: All days	8–8:30 a.m.	In the Farwell St. loading zone by the Student Union or lot C-12 across the street
Pick-up: All days	4:15–4:30 p.m.	In the Farwell St. loading zone by the Student Union or lot C-12 across the street

Driftless IDEA Camp will meet each day in the UWL Student Union. Youth should enter the building through the Farwell St. entrance. Staff will meet youth participants in the lobby and lead them to the program headquarters.